NEW YORK – On Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. and New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell announced the indictment of José Rivera for manufacturing multiple phantom weapons.
According to law enforcement sources, the 47-year-old man was also found making assault weapons, all from his Lower East Side apartment in Manhattan.
In all, Rivera purchased at least 55 ghost guns worth over $ 7,000, including the “Ghost Gunner 3,” a fully automated machine that can be used to create ghost guns at the push of a button.
“The allegations in this case make it clear once again how easy it is for anyone to assemble a semi-automatic weapon in their home,” District Attorney Bragg said. “Thanks to the work of our prosecutors and hard-working NYPD investigators, we have prevented these firearms from reaching our streets and harming New Yorkers. We must continue to enforce our tough gun laws to stop the flow of weapons into our city, regardless of whether they come from iron or polymer pipes. “
The suspect faces multiple charges, including being indicted by the New York State Supreme Court on six counts of criminal possession of a second-degree weapon; a count of Attempt to commit the offense of criminal possession of a second degree weapon; 12 counts of criminal possession of a third degree weapon; five counts of criminal possession of firearms; five counts of criminal possession of a fourth degree weapon; two counts of endangering a child’s well-being; and a count of illegal ammunition possession.
“Once again, solid partnerships with law enforcement have disrupted another illegal arms manufacturing operation,” said New York State First Deputy Superintendent of Police Steven A. Nigrelli. “José Rivera’s indictment will not only keep dangerous weapons off our streets, but will also disrupt the cycle of criminal activity they produce. We will continue to prioritize finding and dismantling these illicit efforts to make New York State a safer place. . safer”.
According to court documents and statements made in the court file, between October 2016 and May 2022, Rivera purchased at least 55 phantom weapon components, many of which were shipped to Pennsylvania as illegal under the New York SAFE Act. .
On September 22, 2022, the NYPD and NYPD executed a search warrant at Rivera’s Lower East Side apartment and recovered six fully assembled ghost pistols, three of which were loaded with magazines. high capacity. Rivera converted two of those weapons into assault weapons, including an AR-15-style rifle. About 200 rounds of ammunition and five major components were also recovered, authorities said. Some of the firearms appeared to have been made by the Ghost Gunner-3 machine from raw aluminum blocks.
Two of the firearms were easily accessible to the two- and three-year-olds living in the apartment and were not locked or safely stored. The 47-year-old man had a previous felony sentence and was not allowed to own legal firearms.
“Ghost weapons are the fastest growing public safety threat to our city and our nation,” said New York Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Today’s allegations reflect the promise we made to everyone we serve: that the NYPD and our law enforcement partners will continue to seize all types of illegal firearms and arrest anyone who makes or uses them. Our job is to protect people and we promise to do everything possible to carry out this mission. “
